So it begins
The UK is to expel 23 Russian diplomats, consider new laws to combat spying and look at sanctions as part of a sweeping response to the nerve agent attack in Salisbury, Theresa May has told parliament.
The UK would also cut off all top-level ties with Russia, including revoking an invitation to the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, to visit the UK, and would not send ministers or royals to the football World Cup this summer, May said.
In response, Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Alexander Yakovenko, confirmed that British diplomats would be expelled from Moscow. Asked in an interview with Sky News about what would happen after May’s statement, he said: “There will be expulsions. As you understand in diplomatic practice, there will be answers from the Russian side.”
“There is no alternative conclusion other than the Russian state was responsible for the attempted murder of Mr Skripal and his daughter.”
This post was edited by Rzi on Mar 14 2018 01:12pm